Group Presentations

Here are the assigned groups for the group presentations on fallacies, along with your topics and the tentative date of each presentation (those dates may be pushed back):

1. Ad Hominem & Appeal to Force (October 28th): Dan M., Devon, Jesse, Marisa, Sonya
2. Appeal to Pity & Popular Appeal (October 28th): Claire, Dennis, Jabari, Lauren, Steve
3. Appeal to Ignorance & Begging the Question (October 28th): Dan T., Frank, Kathleen, Kimberly
4. Straw Man & Red Herring (October 28th): Chelsey, David, Jennifer, Matt L., Nestor
5. Appeal to Authority & False Dilemm2 (November 4th): Adam, Timothy, Travis, Udoka
6. Slippery Slope & The Naturalistic Fallacy (November 4th): Mike C., Michael M., Rebecca, Sean

If you haven't been assigned to a group yet, let me know as soon as possible. Below are more details about the presentation.

During our section on fallacies, groups of 4-5 students will present short lessons on two specific fallacies that their members have researched on their own.

Groups are free to choose how to present their topic to the rest of the class. Be creative! Think about puppets, posters, cartoons, songs, skits, handouts, whatever. Part of your grade will be based on how creative your presentation is. Remember, though, that you are expected to teach these fallacies to the rest of the class. Although they will have read about your fallacies in our textbook, the rest of class will probably not be as familiar with the material you are presenting as your group is. Here are some helpful suggestions of things to include in your presentation:

• DEFINITION: A formal definition of each fallacy
• A slow, clear explanation in plain English of what those definitions mean
• EXAMPLES: Lots of specific examples of arguments that commit each fallacy
• Explanations of how it is that these example arguments commit the fallacy
• WHY BAD?: An explanation of why each fallacy is a mistake in reasoning

I also recommend incorporating class participation of some form into your presentation. At the end of each presentation, the group will answer questions from the rest of the class.

The presentation is worth 150 points (15% of your overall grade). Except in unusual circumstances, each group member shall receive the same grade. There will not be any time set aside in class for groups to research and prepare for their presentation, so you should meet outside class to work on this presentation.